With any newborn delivery, new parents anxiously await those first breaths as baby transitions from life inside the womb to the outside world.
However, of the more than 1,700 babies born at 91原创 Memorial Hospital last year, an estimated experienced some respiratory distress.
That's why all newborn deliveries require a Panda Warmer in the room 鈥� an essential piece of equipment that can quickly provide babies with vital support. In addition to controlled warming and lit examination surface, the radiant warmers contain all required components the 91原创 Memorial Hospital clinicians need to support newborns immediately after birth, from suctioning airways to delivering oxygen to providing resuscitation.
"The Panda Warmer allows us to clear infants鈥� airways, monitor a baby鈥檚 oxygen and heart rate and provide them life-giving breath," explains 91原创 Memorial Hospital's Maja Tomas, RN and Interim Manager, Clinical Programs & Operations, Maternal, Infant, Child & Youth Clinical Program.
"Having enough Panda Warmers on standby, ready to deliver life-saving respiratory support and oxygen, gives our expecting moms the confidence that we can handle any situation that comes our way."
Like any piece of medical equipment, 91原创 Memorial's Panda Warmers experience wear and tear from daily use 鈥� use that's only expected to increase with a growing local population that saw a 10 per cent increase in the number of newborns delivered at the hospital last year.
Because many of the hospital's existing warmers are more than 10 years old 鈥� beyond the expected length of service for one of LMH Maternity鈥檚 most-used pieces 鈥� costly repairs come more frequently and can take them out of service for extended periods.
In addition, as technology changes, the old radiant warmers have had to be adapted with new components to meet current standards of care, while other elements aren't possible with the older units, such as in-bed weigh scales that help reduce handling of newborns.
Matching gift supports healthcare for all
This summer, you can help 91原创's youngest residents while also supporting essential healthcare for all community members. TB Vets is to 91原创 Community Health & Hospital Foundation, up to $40,000! Individual gifts will support the Foundation's areas of greatest need in local health care, while TB Vets' funds will support the purchase of a new Panda Warmer for the hospital's maternity unit.
Your gift for a new Panda Warmer will provide LMH Maternity staff the equipment they need to care for every newborn who needs respiratory support, and every dollar stays here in 91原创 to help every resident, from newborns to seniors, experience excellent health care close to home.
Learn more and donate today at